Spray gun container



March 21, 1961 c, sc 2,975,790

SPRAY GUN CONTAINER Filed Dec. 19, 1956 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 HIM W 7 J 6 5 6 J w m aw m/ L m 2 H 3 w 2% J 1. wa J lw M .m |l|| J March 21, 1961 Filed Dec. 19, 1956 United States Patent "ice SPRAY GUN CONTAINER Constantine Lisciani, Chicago, Ill., assignor to The Protectoseal Company, Chicago, 11]., a corporation of Illinois Filed Dec. 19, 1956, Ser. No. 629,412

12 Claims. (Cl. 134-155) The invention relates generally to containers and the like, and more particularly to a container especially adapted to support a spray gun or the like, with the nozzle thereof in a suitable solvent or thinner, whereby the immediate cleaning of the gun is eliminated.

While there have been in the past containers designed to house or support spray guns or the like, such containers have generally been made in the form of a covered box or the like, in which the gun may be positioned, following disconnection of the air and paint hoses, so that to utilize the container the gun must be completely disconnected from the lines. A typical example of this general type of construction is illustrated in Patent #2,245,892,

- issued to D. P. Anschicks et al. on June 17, 1941.

The present invention has among its objects the production of a spray gun container which is small in size and adapted to receive the nozzle end of the gun, whereby the container may be utilized without disconnection of the air or paint lines of the gun. Thus a gun may be inserted 'in the container for short periods of time such as lunch hours, rest periods and the like, where it is relatively impractical to disconnect the gun from the line, as well as use for longer periods, as for example over week ends, etc., without requiring cleaning of the gun. Likewise, even if the time element permits disconnection of the lines, the operator normally dislikes to connect and disconnect such lines and usually will place the gun in an open pail or the like, with its consequent fire hazard, rather than take the time to disconnect the lines to permit placing of the gun in a closed container.

Another object of the invention is the production of such a spray container having the above advantages which, being small in size, may be readily mounted at a convenient spot within the spray booth or similar enclosure, with the supply of solvent or thinner to be utilized in the container placed in a spot that is out of the way and will not interfere with the operator, the'device being constructed to maintain a substantially constantamount of solvent in the gun receiving portion of the device as supplied from an adequate container.

A further object of the invention is the production of a spray gun container having the above advantages which is so designed that fire hazards in connection therewith are substantially eliminated, provision being made I to effectively close the container with a fire screen or the like when a gun is removed therefrom and to receive any overflow or solvent in the event temperature increases result in an overflowing of the container.

A further object of the invention is the production of such a container which is relatively simple in'construction, durable in use and eflicient for the purposes intended.

Many other objects and advantages of the construction herein shown and described will be obvious to those skilled in theart from'the disclosure herein given.

In the drawing, wherein like reference characters indicate like or corresponding parts:

li s a front elevational view of a container st1uc- 2,975,790 v Patented Mar- 21, 1961 ture embodying the invention, with portions thereof broken away to show the details of construction; and

Fig. 2 is a side elevational view of the structure illustrated in Fig. l, with portions thereof broken away, and illustrating in dotted lines the portion of a spray gun therein;

Fig. 3 is a top plan view of a modified form of the invention;

'Fig. 4 is a front elevational view thereof; and

Fig. 5 is a sectional view taken approximately on the line 5-5 of Fig. 3.

The invention contemplates a spray gun container ofa size to provide adequate solvent for the immersion of the nozzle end of the gun to prevent drying of paint thereon, the nozzle receiving portion of the device being of a size to permit reception of the gun nozzle without removing or disconnecting the supply hoses thereto, in which the container may be supplied with fluid from a suitable supply tank or container positioned thereabove with a gravity type feed arrangement. Provision may also be made for the connection of an overflow tank therewith to accumulate any overflow of solvent from the gun receiving portion thereof.

Another object of the invention is the production of such a spray gun container which is so designed that the nozzle receiving portion thereof may be readily removed from the remainder of the container to permit ready cleaning thereof of paint deposits and the like which may accumulate thereon.

, Referring to the drawings, reference numeral 1 indicates generally a receptacle having atop wall 2, a bottom wall 3, end walls 4, a rear wall 5 and a front wall 6. The

top wallZ and bottom wall 3 may be constructed as stampings and are provided with peripherally extending flanges 7 extending outwardly along all four side walls. Similarly the end walls 4 and front wall 6 may be formed from a single piece of material bent at the junctures of the side and front walls and secured to the flanges 7 of the top and bottom walls. The rear wall 5 may be extended above and below the flanges 7 of the top wall 2 and bottom wall 3 to form attaching flanges 8 and 9, which may beprovided with holes therein through which mounting screws 11 may extend for attaching the receptacle to a suitable wall or other supporting structure. As illustrated in Fig. 2, the rear wall 5 may be provided with laterally extending reinforcing sections 12 extending parallel to and connected with the end walls 4 of the receptacle, thereby providing a very rigid and durable structure.

The top wall 2 of the receptacle is provided with an opening 13 therein and secured to the top wall in axial alignment with the opening 13 is an internally threaded collar 14 which may be secured to the top wall 2 by any suitable means, as for example, welding or brazing. Positioned in the receptacle is a tubular well member 15 carried by an externally threaded ring member 16, adapted to be threaded into the collar 14 as illustrated in the drawing. The well member 15 may be secured to the ring member 16 by any suitable means, as for example, a press fit. As illustrated in Fig. 2, the internal diameter of the ring member 16 is of a size to conveniently receive the nozzle N of a spray gun G outlined in dotted lines, insertion of the spray gun nozzle being limited by the stem S of the gun adapted to connect the latter with a paint supply conduit.

Positioned in the well member 15 and movable vertically therein is a closure member 17 for the nozzle receiving opening 18 in the ring 16, the particular closure member illustrated comprising a perforated plate, or screen of generally circular shape having a downwardly extending peripheral flange 19, the member 17 being adapted to seat on the inner face 21 of the ring 16 under the action of a compression spring 22seated at its upper end on the inner face of the closure member 17 and at its lower end on the inner face of the bottom wall 3 of the receptacle. The resiliency of the spring 22 is so selected that the closure member 17 will be maintained in closed position as illustrated in Fig. 1 until moved downwardly by the insertion of a spray gun nozzle through the opening 18, as indicated in Fig. 2, the spring readily compressing under the weight of the spray gun.

The well member may be provided with a plurality of openings to permit the equalization of liquid in the Well 15 and the remaining portions of the container, and in the specific construction illustrated is provided with a plurality of openings 23 adjacent the lower end of the well member, and also with a plurality of openings 24 adjacent the upper end of the well member.

The level of liquid to be maintained in the receptacle 1 should be such that the nozzle end of a spray gun inserted in the well 15 will have the gun outlet and associated structure below the liquid level to insure that the paint in and around the nozzle will not harden and clog the gun. To maintain a suitable level of liquid in the receptacle 1, a supply tank 25 may be provided, the tank illustrated in the drawings being more or less elongated in shape and having a common inlet and outlet, indicated by the numeral 26, adapted to be operatively connected by a conduit 27 with the interior of the receptacle 1, the conduit 27 being connected to a fitting 28 secured to the top wall 2 of the receptacle 1 and extending downwardly therefrom into the receptacle with the outlet end 29 thereof positioned at the approximate desired height of the level to be maintained in the receptacle. In this construction conduit 27 and connections between it and the receptacle 1 and tank 25 form the only air inlet for the tank, so that the structure functions as an automatically actuated supply means, with the liquid level being established at or slightly above the mouth 29 of the supply conduit 27. If the liquid level should fall below such amount, air is permitted to pass through the conduit into the tank 25 and allow fluid to escape therefrom until the level rises above the conduit mouth and thereby preventing further air flow into the tank 25.

With this construction it is desirable, to facilitate filling of the tank, that the same be arranged to permit inversion of the tank, following which the conduit 27 may be disconnected at the connection 31 therefrom and the tank filled. The tank may then be reconnected to the conduit 27 and placed in its original inverted position as illustrated in Fig. 1. To enable the tank to be readily inverted, it is preferably detachably mounted on the supporting structure and to accomplish this result one or more brackets 32 may be carried by the tank, each bracket being generally U-shaped, having a base portion 33 secured to the adjacent side wall of the tank and a downwardly extending leg portion 34 connected at its upper edge to the top edge of the base portion 33 by an intermediate connecting portion 35. Cooperable with the bracket 32 is a bracket 36 adapted to be mounted on the supporting structure by screws 37 or other suitable means, the bracket being formed from a piece of metal and having an intermediate offset portion 38 and outwardly extending flanges 39 at each side thereof, whereby the offset portion 38 forms a channel or space between its inner face and the adjacent face of the supporting structure, which is adapted to receive the portion 34 of the hook member 32. In this construction the conduit or hose 27 connecting the tank 25 and container 1 is of a length to permit the tank to be raised relative to the bracket 36 a distance suflicient to permit disengagement of the portion 34 with the bracket 36 and permit the tank to be inverted.

While additional filler openings or the like may be provided on the tank 25, I normally prefer to utilize a single fitting for both the filling function and the connection to the conduit 27, thereby eliminating additional fit- 4 tings and seals which would otherwise be possible sources of leaks which would impare proper functioning of the supply system and create fire hazards as the solvents employed are usually highly flammable.

The removable well structure comprising the well member 15 and ring 16 enables the substitution of well structures having the opening in the ring member of different sizes, whereby the device may be readily adapted for use with spray guns of any particular size of nozzle. Normally the size of such nozzles will fall into several groups whereby only a few different sized ring members may be required to service the bulk of spray guns commonly used. Likewise, the removable well structure permits the Well member 15, ring 16 and closure member 17 and spring 22 to be readily removed from the receptacle for replacement, cleaning, etc., as well as to provide access to the interior of the receptacle when desired. Under normal conditions a relatively small amount of paint or other material being sprayed will be exposed to the action of the fluid.

Thus removal and cleaning of the well member 15 will normally be required only periodically. To facilitate cleaning of the receptacle 1, the latter may be provided with a drain plug 41 threaded into a suitable collar 42 secured by welding or the like to the bottom 3 thereof.

It will be appreciated that while the structure thus far described is protected by the closure member 17, which forms a safety screen for the receptacle 1, adequate safety with respect to the fluid, which normally involves flammable solvents, thinners and the like, is provided, under the application of heat, or possible surges of liquid when the closure member 17 is moved downwardly from the position illustrated in Fig. l to the position illustrated in Fig. 2, it might be possible to have an overflow of liquid to the top 2 of the receptacle 1, and under normal conditions, the flanges 7 extending around the top wall would be sufficient to retain any such overflow. However, in the event of a fire or the like, suflicient heat may be created in the vicinity of the receptacle 1 and tank 25 to produce a considerable overflow therefrom as a result of expansion and to accommodate such possible overflow, a drain tube 43, communicating at its upper end with the top of the receptacle, may be provided, the drain tube 43 being secured to a collar 44 on the bottom wall 3 and provided with suitable connecting means 45, as for example a threaded nipple, for connection of a conduit 46 which may be operatively connected to an overflow tank or can, positioned below the receptacle 1. To insure adequate safety protection the overflow may be provided with safety screens or the like.

Figs. 3, 4 and 5 illustrate a unitary construction wherein the supply tank, the spray gun receiving receptacle and the overflow tank are formed as an assembly which may be suitably mounted on a wall or other supporting surface.

Referring to the drawings, reference numeral 101 indicates generally a receptacle having a top wall 102, a bottom wall 103, end walls 104, a rear wall and a front wall 106. The top wall 102 and bottom wall 103 may be constructed as stampings and are provided with peripherally extending flanges 7 extending outwardly along all four side walls. Similarly the end walls 104, rear wall 105 and front wall 106 may be formed from a single piece of material bent at the junctures of the side and front walls and secured to the flanges 7 of the top and bottom walls.

The top wall 102 of the receptacle may be provided with a pair of openings 113 therein and secured to the top wall in axial alignment with each of the openings is an internally threaded collar 114 which may be secured to the top wall 2 by any suitable means, as for example by welding or brazing. Positioned in the receptacle, as in the construction illustrated in Fig. 1, is a tubular well member 115 carried by an externally threaded ring member 116 by any'suitable means,"a's for "example, a press fit. The internal diameter of the ring member 116 is of a size to conveniently receive the nozzle of a spray gun inserted into the well, and positioned therein and movable vertically is a closure member 117 which extends across the nozzle receiving opening 118 in the ring 116, the closure member illustrated being a perforated plate or screen of generally circular shape having a downwardly extending peripheral flange 119. The member 117 is provided with an annular inner face 121, on which is adapted to be seated the member 117, the latter being urged upwardly by a spring 122 engaged at its upper end with the inner face of the closure member 117 and at its" lower end on the inner face of the bottom wall 103 of the receptacle. As in the case of the construction illustrated in Fig. 1, the resiliency of the spring 122 is so selected that the closure memher 117 normally will be maintained in a closed position, as illustrated in Fig. 5, until moved downwardly by the insertion of a spray gun nozzle through the opening 118, the spring readily compressing under the weight of the spray gun.

The well member 15 may be provided with a plurality of openings 123 and 124 respectively adjacent the lower and upper ends of the well member 115, which permit the equalization of liquid in the wells and the remaining portion of the container.

Positioned above the container 101 and laterally disposed between the gun receiving wells 115 is a supply tank 125, which is provided with a single filler and discharge opening 126 to which is operatively connected a discharge tube 127, the latter extending through a sleeve 128 secured to the top wall 102 of the fluid receptacle with the outlet end 129 of the tube positioned at the approximate desired height of the level to be maintained in the receptacle, forming automatic supply means for the latter as the tube 127 forms both the air inlet for the tank and the fluid outlet, permitting liquid to flow only when the fluid level in the receptacle 101 falls below the outlet end 129 of the tube.

The tube 127 may be operatively connected to the supply tank 125 by a suitable connection 131 which may be disconnected to permit filling of the tank, the latter first being inverted to the position illustrated in Figs. 3

and 4 to permit filling of the tank through the opening 126. As in the case of the structure previously described, a separate filler opening may be provided, but generally it is deemed preferable to reduce the number of openings to a minimum, in view of which I prefer to employ merely a single combined filler and outlet opening. To facilitate cleaning of the receptacle 101, the latter may be provided with a drain plug 141 threaded into a suitable collar 142 secured bywelding or the like to the bottom 3 thereof.

It will .be appreciated that the construction thusfar described corresponds generally with that heretofore disclosed in Figs. 1 and 2, and functions in substantially the same manner, with the exception that the long conduit 27 is reduced to a short tubular extension 127. i

To provide means for accumulating any overflow of fluid in the construction illustrated in Figs. 3, 4 and 5, an overflow tank 143 is incorporated in the structure as a part of the assembly, such overflow tank being generally rectangular in shape and positioned adjacent the rear wall 105 of the receptacle 101. The tank 143 comprises a front wall 144, positioned adjacent the wall 105 and having a pair of ports 145 operatively connecting the tank 143 with-the receptacle 101, permitting fluid to flow from the latter into the overflow tank when the liquid level rises from that indicated in dotted lines in Figs. 4 and 5 to the height of the ports 145. The tank 143 also is provided with a rear wall 146, a top wall 147, a bottom wall 148 and end walls 149, the construction of the tank being generally similar to the construction of the receptacle 101, the top and bottom being formed with outwardly extending flanges 151, correspond.- ing to the flanges 7 and 107, with the respective walls being suitably secured together by welding or other means. The overflow tank 143 may also be provided with a drain plug 152 threaded into a suitable collar 153 secured by welding or the like to the bottom 148 of the overflow tank.

The receptacle 101 and tank 143 may be secured together into an integral structure by any suitable means as for example welding or bonding the edge portions of the walls and 144.

Suitably secured to the rear wall 146 of the tank 143 is a backing member or plate 154 which extends upwardly above the top of the assembly and may be provided with oflfset vertical flange portions 155 having holes 156 therein to receive suitable mounting means for attaching the structure to a supporting wall or other member. As illustrated in Figs. 4 and 5, the tank 125 is provided with a top member 157, a bottom member 158, the top and bottom member being generally oval in shape and connected by side walls 159,"the latter being secured to outwardly extending flanges 160 on the top and bottom members, similar to the construction previously described for the receptacle 101 and the overflow tank 143. The rear Wall 161 of the supply tank 125 may be provided with an inverted U-shaped supporting bracket 162, one leg 163 of which is suitably secured to the wall 161, and the other leg 164 thereof being positioned adjacent the rear face of the member 154, the latter having a generally rectangular shaped notch 165 therein of a size to receive the bracket 162 as clearly illustrated in Figs. 4 and 5, to properly position the supply tank 125 above the receptacle 101. The assembly may also be provided with'an angle member 166 secured to the front wall 106 adjacent the bottom edge thereof, to form a horizontally extending flange 167 having holes 168 therein adapted to receive means for mounting the structure to a horizontal supporting surface, as for example, a floor or bench. v

To eliminate the possibility of an air lock in the overflow tank 143, the top wall 147 thereof may be provided with one or more vent openings 169 therein, the latter being illustrated as being covered by a suitable safety screen 170 of woven mesh or perforated metal.

It will be appreciated that in use the tank 125 may be readily filled with a supply of fluid by lifting the tank upwardly to disengage the bracket 162 from the member 154, simultaneously Withdrawing the tube 127 from the sleeve 128, following which the connection 131 may be detached, the tank filled, and the connection replaced. The tank may then be inverted and reinstalled on the member 154, the receptacle 101 filling with fluid until the level thereof reaches the outlet 129 of the tube 127, cutting off the air supply to the tank 125 and stopping the discharge of fluid therefrom. In the event liquid should rise to an undesirable height in the receptacle 101, it would at such time reach the port 145 and flow into the tank 143, the latter preferably being of a size relative to the tank 125 to accommodate the normal capacity of the tank. Obviously in. the case of fire, heat may expand the liquid and vapor in the tank 125, forcing it into the receptacle 101 from which it may flow into the overflow tank 143, the screens 170 and closure members 117 preventing any danger of explosion or the like.

It will be apparent that each of the modifications illustrated are similar in general operation, the use of one or the other depending to a large extent on the particular requirements of the installation as in some cases it may be preferable to use an overhead tank such as that illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2 and a separate overflow tank, while in other cases it may be more practical to combine the various elements in a unitary assembly such as that illustrated in Figs. 3, 4 and 5. Obviously, the construction illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2 may be readily constructed with more than a single well member and in like manner the construction illustrated in Figs. 3, 4 and 5 may be adapted for only a single gun.

It will be appreciated from the above disclosure that I have provided a novel spray gun receptacle, which may be readily mounted on a wall or other supporting structure within easy reach of a gun, without disconnection thereof from the air and paint supply lines associated therewith. Likewise, the invention enables adequate protection of a spray gun, eliminating cleaning thereof following every use and enabling such result to be achieved with a minimum amount of solvent or other fluid, provision also being made for supply fluid to the receptacle from a supply tank, requiring merely periodic maintenance, etc.

Having thus described my invention, it is obvious that various immaterial modifications may be made in the same without departing from the spirit of my invention; hence I do not wish to be understood as limiting myself to the exact form, construction, arrangement and combination of parts herein shown and described, or uses mentioned.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In a spray gun container, the combination of a fluid receptacle, comprising top, bottom and side walls, said top wall having an opening therein, an internally threaded collar secured to said top wall and extending upwardly therefrom, said collar being axially aligned with the axis of said opening, a tubular well member carried at its upper end by an externally threaded ring member adapted to be threaded into said collar with said well member positioned in the receptacle and extending to adjacent the bottom wall thereof, said ring and well members being of a size to receive the nozzle of a spray gun and provide support to the latter, a perforated safety closure member movably positioned in said well and adapted to seat on said ring, and a compression spring positioned in said well adapted to seat at its respective ends on the inner face of the bottom wall and the inner face of said closure member operative to urge the latter into engagement with said ring.

2. A spray gun container as defined in claim 1 wherein said receptacle is formed with an upwardly extending wall around said top wall, the latter having a fluid overflow opening therein adapted to be operatively connected by conduit means to an overflow receptacle.

3. A spray gun container as defined in claim 1 having a fluid supply tank adapted to be positioned above said receptacle and connected to the latter by a fluid conduit, the outlet end of which is adapted to be operatively positioned in said receptacle and spaced from the top wall thereof to automatically admit fluid therein when the fluid level falls below said outlet.

4. A spray gun container as defined in claim 3 wherein said receptacle is provided with means for mounting the same on a supporting structure, means for detachably mounting said supply tank to a supporting structure in elevated relation with respect to said receptacle, the fluid conduit between said tank and receptacle being flexible to permit detachment of said tank from such supporting means and inversion of the tank for filling purposes.

5. A spray gun container as defined in claim 4, wherein said supply tank is operatively supported by a portion of the container structure directly above said receptacle.

6. A spray gun container as defined in claim 3, wherein the receptacle is provided with an overflow outlet in the side wall thereof, and an overflow tank operatively connected to the receptacle in communication with said overflow opening for receiving excess fluid therefrom.

7. A spray gun container as defined in claim 6, wherein said overflow tank and fluid receptacle are adjacent to one another and have a communicating port and abutting side walls, and means securing said receptacle and tank into a rigid structure.

8. A spray gun container as defined in claim 7, where in said structure is provided with means for detachably supporting said supply tank therefrom directly above said receptacle, whereby the latter and said tanks form a unitary assembly.

9. In a spray gun container, the combination of a fluid receptacle comprising top, bottom and side walls the top wall thereof having an opening thereof of a size to receive and providing support for the nozzle of a spray gun, said receptacle being of a size to contain a sufiicient amount of fluid to submerge the nozzle of a spray gun inserted into the container, a closure for said opening movable inwardly relative to the recc ptacle to permit insertion of a spray gun nozzle therein, with the latter forming closure means for said opening, a supply tank detachably connected with said container and having fluid conduit means operatively communicating with the interior of the latter for supplying fluid thereto, and an overflow tank operatively related to said fluid receptacle to receive said fluid therefrom.

10. A spray gun container as defined in claim 9, wherein said fluid receptacle and overflow tank comprise adjoining chambers of a unitary structure, having a communicating port in their adjoining side walls.

11. A spray gun container as defined in claim 10, wherein said unitary structure and supply tank are provided with cooperable means thereon for supporting the supply tank therefrom, the latter overlying a portion of said receptacle, said fluid conduit means comprising an outlet tube extending downwardly from said supply tank into said receptacle.

12. A spray gun container as defined in claim 3, wherein the receptacle is provided with an overflow outlet opening on the receptacle interior, and an overflow tank operatively connected to the receptacle in communication with said overflow opening for receiving excess fluid therefrom.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 229,680 Doyle July 6, 1880 1,158,676 Furber Nov. 2, 1915 2,245,892 Anschicks June 17, 1941 2,649,764 Eftihios Aug. 25, 1953 

